EVERY refuse worker in the city has walked out in solidarity with Glasgow's equal pay women.

Men attended work this morning at nine depots around Glasgow but refused to cross picket lines, downing tools and walking out.

The Evening Times had told yesterday how Glasgow City Council threatened refuse workers with disciplinary action should they protest.

Last night the council withdrew the threat and today a spokesman said there would be no disciplinary action taken against the men but they will be docked a day's pay..

He added: "We are disappointed that staff chose to take this course of action today and we would be asking the GMB to ask their members to return to work as usual tomorrow."

John O'Connor, GMB rep for the city's refuse workers, said: "We all know about the equal pay strikes today and tomorrow.

"As cleansing operatives we came into work this morning to go about our normal business and present ourselves for work, but we didn't want to cross a picket as we are in total support of the women.

"Management came into our canteen and read out an official statement from the council stating that if we didn't go to work there'd be disciplinary action taken against us. "They basically said if you don't cross picket lines and go to work you won't be getting paid. In support of the women the guys in cleaning came out to support them wholeheartedly in the fight for justice.

"I believe it is shameful the way they've acted towards the women and the cohesion and communication, going back to local management, just isn't there. It's embarrassing."

A council insider said it seemed unlikely that the mass action was not coordinated.

They said that if the men's action had been influenced by their union then that would be unlawful.

However, Rhea Wolfson, spokeswoman for the GMB, strongly refuted any suggestion that the union had asked refuse workers to walk out.

She said: "The cleansing workers feel great solidarity with their female colleagues.

"Refuse workers attended work this morning as usual and asked for alternative duties that meant they would not be crossing the picket line.

"This option was not taken up by the council and so the men decided to walk out and join picket lines.

"The refuse workers are a strong, strong trade union group and they know what it is like to need solidarity from people across the city."

Ms Wolfson said the solidarity shown by the men will be repeated tomorrow.

She said: "We have not yet been approached by Glasgow City Council about this but are more than happy to speak to them about the situation.